#USA #Austin #Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute #cardiac arrhythmias #EPLive 2026

Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute to Host EPLive 2026

The Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute (TCAI) at St. David's Medical Center is gearing up for its eighth international symposium on complex cardiac arrhythmias. Scheduled for May 28-29, 2026, the symposium, known as EPLive, has been a biennial event since 2012, attracting top global experts in cardiac electrophysiology.

EPLive serves as a comprehensive two-day training session aimed at healthcare professionals, including physicians, advanced practice nurses, and paramedics who are interested in treating complex cardiac arrhythmias, a condition characterized by irregular heart rhythms. One of the unique aspects of this symposium is the use of live cases streamed from the state-of-the-art electrophysiology center at St. David's Medical Center, offering attendees firsthand insight into advanced treatment techniques.

Dr. Andrea Natale, an esteemed cardiac electrophysiologist, serves as the medical program director for TCAI and the course director for EPLive. In his words, "EPLive 2026 represents a unique opportunity for the global electrophysiology community to convene and engage in real-time learning through complex case-based training. By combining live procedures that showcase cutting-edge advancements with expert discussions, we’re delivering an impactful and practical experience that healthcare professionals can directly translate into their practice to improve patient outcomes worldwide."

This year’s EPLive conference will place a spotlight on a more rational approach to treating atrial fibrillation (A Fib) and left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO). By integrating these two treatments into a single procedure for A Fib patients at higher risk of stroke, physicians can simultaneously address both the arrhythmia abnormally and a shared stroke risk source, thereby reducing the need for multiple interventions, minimizing procedure duration, and lowering complication risks. This ultimately translates into safer and more efficient patient care.

Session Overview

EPLive 2026 will feature four key sessions:
1. Atrial fibrillation ablation cases
2. Ventricular tachycardia ablation cases
3. Left atrial appendage closure cases
4. Device discussions, including new technologies

These sessions comprise a mix of live and recorded cases contributed by TCAI as well as premier electrophysiology centers located in various countries, including Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Italy, and several states within the USA. Notable institutions include AZ Sint-Jan Brugge, UZ Brussel, Vancouver General Hospital, and the Cleveland Clinic.

Learning Objectives

The symposium will also outline important goals, including:

• - Identifying processes that can mitigate complications and promote patient safety during A Fib ablation and other arrhythmia treatments.
• - Demonstrating an understanding of the latest evidence and guidelines pertaining to arrhythmia management and treatment with new technologies.
• - Applying best practices that utilize cutting-edge technologies to optimize clinical outcomes.
• - Identifying processes that stand to benefit from integrating new technologies to enhance patient safety during complex cardiac implant extractions.

In addition to Dr. Natale, several distinguished faculty members from TCAI will be leading sessions at EPLive, including course co-directors Dr. Amin Al-Ahmad, Dr. Luigi DiBiase, and Dr. Dhanunjaya